Crib-side lock



D. F. DY-KE I CRIB SIDE LOCK Filed June 5. 1920 Patented Aug. '17, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1 1,596,243 PATENT OFFICE.

DARRELL F. DYKE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE SENG COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CRIB-SIDE LOCK.

Application filed June 3,

This invention relates to a device for effectively locking the side of a crib in one position but providing means whereby it may be tripped or disengaged, preferably by the toe or foot of an operator for disengagement. Although particularly designed and intended for use in connection with a baby crib, it is obvious that it may-have a more general use wherever applicable. The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a crib embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective illustrat ing the lock; Fig. 3 shows a modification; Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the supporting brackets; and Fig. 5 shows the flattened end of one of the cross bars.

In a crib of the class to which the present invention relates, it is customary to make one side slidable downwardly so that free access may be had to the interior of the crib without bending downwardly into the crib, which would be necessary if the crib side were made solid. It is not unusual to provide these crib sides with locks which may be tripped by the engagement of the toe or the leg of an operator, but the present invention is designed and intended to pro vide a simple, inexpensive but effective and efficient lock of this kind which is not easily disengaged in an unauthorized manner, but which is easily tripped or reengaged in the proper and normal operation of the crib side.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a crib of this type is provided with posts 6, having cross and vertical bars which connect them on three sides, and a bed bottom comprising side rails 7 are usually provided which hook over cross bars 8 connected to the end posts. On the inside edge of two of the side posts, at one side of the crib are a pair of guide bars 9, one attached to each post 6 by means of a bracket 10 at the bottom, and the other end 11 being bent and inserted through or secured to the post 6 in any desired or suited manner. Upon these guide rods 9 is mounted a crib side which consists of cross and vertical bars 12 and 13, the former of which are preferably flattened at the ends 1 1 and each flattened end formed with a perforation 15 through P which the rods 9 will slip freely so that the 1920. Serial No. 386,255.

crib side is easily slidable upon the guide rods.

Attached to the outside of the side rails 7 are a pair of angular brackets 16 which have supporting perforated ears 17 extend-- ing in an upper direction from the rail and each providing a pivotal connection for a crib hook 18 having an opening 19 in the outer edge thereof with a comparatively narrow mouth and adapted to engage the lower cross bar 12 of the crib seat. The internal widening of this opening 19 is of such shape as to permit a vertical move ment of the crib side without any particular movement of the hook. The shape of this opening 19 in effect forms an upper projection 20, and a lower projection 21, and the opening 19 is so proportioned that the bot-- tom bar 12 of thecrib side will engage the upper projection 20 to raise the hook 18 at about the same time that the upper cross rail 12 is moved into engagement with the bend 11 of the guide bar 9, so that in raising the crib side above its normal position it cannot be disengaged from the opening of the hook. The opening 19 also extends clownwardly from the lower projection 21 so that the lower cross bar 12 is seated therein when the crib side is normally in raised position. Extending between the hooks 19 on opposite ends of the rail 7 is a connecting rod 22 v by means of which these hooks may be operated in unison. This rod also forms a positioning weight for holding the hooks in proper position, and the lower and outer edge 23 of the edges hooks are inclined so that when the crib seat is raised from its lower position the upper edge of the lower cross bar 12 will engage the inclined portion 23 and press the hooks rearwardly until this cross bar 12 passes the projections 21, whereupon the hooks will swing by gravity to engage the cross bar 12 in the openings 19, and any further movement in the upper direction will bring the-upper cross bar, as previously explained, against the bends 11 but will not disengage the lower cross bar from the hook openings 19.

A similar construction can also be made of a single bar or rod 24:, as shown by Fig. 3, bent to the proper shape, and in fact. such a rod might be directly applied to the brackets 16. It is formed at each end with a projection 25 to engage in the perforated cars 17 with an outwardly bent hook por tion 26 in which the cross bar 12 would be seated and engaged, and with the inclined portion 27 below the hook corresponding to the edge 23 of one of the hooks 18.

The brackets 10 are stamped out of sheet material and formed with an opening 28 in which guide rods 9 are inserted. Surrounding each 01 the guide rods adjacent its bracket 10 is an extended coil spring 29 which cushions the impact of the crib side when it is lowered.

lVith this construction is is obvious that in order to disengage or drop the crib side from its normal raised position it is necessary only to engage the cross bar 22 (or at any place along the bar. It may be pressed inwardly by the hand or foot of an operator or may be very easily operated without raising the foot from the door by pushing the leg against it. At this time the hook is pressed inwardly out oi engagement with the cross bar 12 and the crib side drops of its own weight. To reengage the crib side with the lock, it is necessary only to raise it manually and the hooks will automatically lock the bottom cross bar in position. There is no danger of the crib side being raised too high as this is prevented by the bends 11 in the guide rods. It is almost impossible to shake this crib lock loose and as it is constructed principally of stamped sheet material, it is comparatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and apply and is effective and efii'cientin operation.

I claim 1. In a crib, a slidable side having a lower cross rail, a side rail parallel with the cross rail, a pair of angle brackets secured to the side rail at a distance from the ends, a hook member pivoted to each bracket and swinging at right anglesin the path of the lower cross rail with an outwardly opening recess in which the cross rail engages and having upper and lower projections at the mouth of the recess to prevent accidental disengagement of the cross rail, and a bar connecting the hook members to rock them inwardly in unison to disengage the cross rail.

2. In a crib, a slidable side rail having a lower straight cross rail, a parallel side rail, angle brackets secured to the side rail, a hook member pivoted on each bracket to swing across the path of the cross rail and having a recess in its outer edge with an upper and a lower projection to hold the cross rail from disengagement and to effect engagement thereof in the recess when the cross rail is raised past the lower projection, and means connecting the hook members for operation in unison to release the cross bar when the members are rocked inwardly at the bottom by engagement with them or the connecting means.

DARRELL F. DYKE. 

